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Gene Bowker's RustedRail's Ramblings! Who knows what we'll find along the backroads of life.
Out with the old.. goodbye 2024!
Hard to believe that Christmas is over and so is 2024 almost! I'm busy at working trying to help push the last few orders out the door, but I'm looking forward to 2025 how about you? I just wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for reading my posts and I always enjoy reading comments from you about your thoughts on them. It's really a way for me to share some of my images and thoughts on life in general with you. As I look forward to 2025, I'm reflecting on what 2024 has been. - I started the year in January by traveling to Sweden (and Europe) for the first time in my life. It took way to long and I look forward to visiting more of Europe and getting to ride more of the trains there. - At work, we upgraded our ERP computer system in February. I always enjoy learning a new system and also being able to share my knowledge with others. - At work, I was promoted to Site Manager which has brought a lot of extra hours and tasks, but has given me a chance to develop as a leader with my great team in Duncan. - South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee survived Hurricane Hele in early October. Despite the destruction and the continued clean-up it has been heart warming to see how the region has pulled together to recover. - I had the chance to make more new images in 2024 than in 2023! I'm looking forward to making and sharing even more in 2025! I really enjoy the time spent with my wife Patrice (a great photographer too) exploring the region and finding new things to record. - I increased the number of posts here on my blog and have seen increased readership. My goal for 2025 is to be even more consistent.
Thanks to everyone again who has shared the journey with me.
let them glow, let them glowwwwww\
We visited the Festival of Trees in Greenville yesterday afternoon which was a great experience again this year. One a weekday afternoon, there were no crowds and we had plenty of time to walk around enjoying the trees and making some photos. Last time, I shared a photo which happened by accident in downtown Greer, so this time I set out to duplicate it which was a little harder than I expected but I was quite happy with the glowing results. Part of the fun of photography is the ability to come up with abstract captures of things to share. Hope you enjoy this one!
Unexpected results
Last night we braved the cold (at least for South Carolina) to go downtown in Greer to see the festivities around the tree lighting and also grabbed some quick pictures in downtown
Rudolph and Santa
In 2024, Patrice, her mother and I went to the Center for Puppetry Arts to see a special exhibit which had the original Rudolph and Santa puppets from the Christmas Special. They had their own room and were sitting in the glass case. When we got there we had the room to ourselves and plenty of time to examine them in detail. I think the thing that shocked me was just how small they were. Somehow I had always imagined them being larger. However they were quite, quite small. Here is a video on Instagram that I took with my cell phone where you can see them in more detail. I was so happy that to learn the story of how they were discovered and lovingly restored and also the chance to see them. The Center is full of other puppets that are famous including a large collection of the original Muppets along with many other favorites. They have a nice gift shop and also lots of activities for the family along with puppet shows they present of course. If you'd like to see Rudolph and Santa they are on display again at the Center this holiday season. https://puppet.org/programs/festive-features/
x marks the spot
When I get a chance to visit a covered bridge or other older wooden structure I always enjoy the chance to examine the craftsmanship which when into building them. Patrice and I recently visited the Campbell's Covered Bridge near our home in the Upstate of South Carolina. The bridge was recently restored (again) and paint was added to the inside which somewhat covers the various carvings that people have felt the need to leave for years. As much as I hate the carvings (same for ones on old trees or even most graffiti), I understand the desire to say "I was here". For me, the images I make are my way to say "I was there..." The National Park Service always emphasizes "Leave no trace" when visiting historical sites and I believe in leaving the place the same for the next visitor and want my traces to be the images and words I leave behind.
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